CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

INTRO TO IMPROV: 3-Hour Class

Give us 3 hours and we’ll help you discover the benefits of improvisation!

WHAT IS IT?An introduction for anyone to learn the fundamentals of improvisation…the basic tools, rules, and philosophy…through games, drills, and simple scenes with a uniquely character-based “Groundlings”-inspired approach. It's VERY fun, VERY supportive and noncompetitive.

COST:$50

DURATION:3 hours, an evening or on a weekend day. Offered several times a month.

PREREQUISITE:There is no prerequisite for this class.

FOR:Anyone. We’re not kidding! See if you like improvisation. See if you like our approach to improvisation. This three hour workshop will give you an understanding of WHAT makes improv work and WHY it works…and a new confidence that you…yes, even YOU…can do it. Plus, you’ll have new skills to help you in work, and life. More effective communication, less self-consciousness about in speaking in public, an easier access to thinking on your feet, and the ability to listen without an agenda.

Whether you’re a performer, banker, comedian, graphic designer, public speaker, sales rep or lawyer, improv is honestly for anyone who wants to do it. The benefits are limitless. And best of all, it’s fun! Yes, that’s right, FUN!

The Groundlings has been the go-to place to learn improv for thousands of people, boasting alums like Melissa McCarthy, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, Kathy Griffin, and Cheryl Hines…to name a few. Holly trained and performed over 8 years there before moving to New York and starting her own school. So….you’re in good hands.

NEW CLASS

LAUNCH INTO YES!

This is our NEW 4-week class that is between a dip and a plunge; between the Intro to Improv and Level 1. It is a class geared towards students who want to try improv with a smaller commitment. Those who want a little more than just an introduction. You will learn the principles of improvisation, tapping into basic rules like yes, and…, eye contact, listening without an agenda. You will gain an understanding that We is more important than Me. Plus, you will be introduced to our school’s unique character based approach. All in a very supportive space.

COST:$200 ($180 Intro grads)

DURATION:4 Weeks

PREREQUISITE:There is no prerequisite for this class.

OUR NEW LEVEL STRUCTURE: LEVELS 1-3

LEVEL 1 IMPROV / 10-12 Week Class

In 10-12 weeks (2.5 - 3 hour classes) you will be introduced to the tenets of improvisation through the use of drills, exercises and games. We do not teach a particular format. Instead, we prefer to teach students the basics and philosophy behind improv itself before teaching any particular structure. You will also be introduced to our school’s unique character-based approach.

We also understand everyone develops differently and at their own pace, so we offer a very supportive and individualized process.

WHAT YOU’LL GET:

• all of the foundational improv tools in order to not only understand the principles of how improv works & why

• the opportunity to grow & develop with our specific approach to teaching

• see & experience first hand why improvisation is not just about comedy and performing, but a way to live life with more freedom, confidence, and positivity

• students are invited to retake this level at any time and as often as you want. There’s no rush in our process and the basics are something that all improvisers know is key to working and reworking throughout one’s career

COST:$495 ($470 Intro grads, $415 refresher)

DURATION:10 or 12 weeks, one evening a week. Offered several times throughout the year. Includes one optional performance.

PREREQUISITE:There is no prerequisite for this class.

LEVEL 1 INTENSIVES

These special classes cover the syllabus for a 12-week class but in a more condensed timeframe. Fundamental Intensives usually include 3 hour classes twice a week for 5 weeks.

LEVEL 2 IMPROV / 10-Weeks

This level is for students who decide they want to move on from the LEVEL 1 / Fundamentals of Improv class. You’ll be able to incorporate what you have learned and put it into practice, gaining confidence and your own voice as an improviser.

There is more open scene work emphasizing the rules and structure from LEVEL 1 / FUNDAMENTALS. There will also be space and time given to incorporate character/point of view into the process.

We will also integrate games to help you get out of your head and into the characters’

We also understand everyone develops differently and at their own pace, so we offer a very supportive and individualized process.

This class can be retaken at any time and as often as you want to brush up on your scenework and integrate what you’ve leaned along the way.

COST:$425/$375 Refresher

DURATION:10 weeks, one evening a week.

PREREQUISITE:LEVEL 1 or Fundamentals of Improv

You can take and retake this class as many times as you want. We encourage students who have been away for a while to start back at this level as a refresher.

LEVEL 3 IMPROV / 10 Week Class

A chance to dive more deeply into creating and sustaining scenes. Learning the more subtle ways to “yes, and” information and suggestions. Sharpening skills to build a scene more organically and honestly, and the tools to get back on track when you get off track.

Then, while sustaining scenework, learning what a character is in improvisation, how it can help you in your improv work, and the various ways to create and build a character.

While building characters and utilizing them in scene work, we will focus on creating honestly and pushing aside our fears and second guesses.

You will be introduced to more tools to open your mind so that you can speak from the character's voice and not the improviser's. This skill is pivotal to improvising effectively and freely.

COST:$425/$375 Refresher

DURATION:10 weeks, one evening a week.

PREREQUISITE: Level 2 or GOYH/Scene Work Basics

You can take and retake this class as many times as you want. We encourage students who have been away for a while to start back at this level as a refresher.

DROP-INS: ONGOING IMPROV WORKOUTS

These classes are an option for students in-between classes who want to continue to learn. They will have a class-like feel instead of a “in the meantime” feel. Drop-In sessions are taught by the Improvolution instructors and emphasize an aspect of improv such as characters, adding information, or listening. And each session is unique and tailor-made.

COST: $25

SINGLE CLASSES

PREREQUISITE:

FUNDAMENTALS OF IMPROVISATION

SPECIALTY WORKSHOP SERIES

NEW CLASS NEW CLASS NEW CLASS!!

MUSIC IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS (4 individual classes)

You know that feeling you get when you hear a song that makes you tap your feet and hum along. It moves you because the melody is catchy, powerful or has a hook that you just can't get out of your head. Such memorable iconic titles come to mind as Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" or The Beatles "We All Live in a Yellow Submarine"

Together we will explore how to create melodies that move us and make us want to sing and tap our feet while having fun and then, BAM we have made up songs!

Class 1)Acting the Song - We’ll work to heighten our awareness of the mood of the music and the feeling of what we’re singing about. This will inspire the emotional and musical choices we make as we start to create an improvised song.

Class 2)Singing in Character - We’ll do some fun exercises to create characters on the spot and then allow those characters to create songs and melodies while maintaining the details of these personalities that we’ve created.

Class 3)The Showmanship of Improvising a Song - We’ll explore the inner workings of how we use our bodies, voices, and emotion in order to be seen, heard and look confident on stage WHILE improvising a song AND making it look easy.

Class 4)Scenes into Songs - Where the Rubber Meets The Road! We’ll do some basic improvised scenes where we heighten the emotional content in the scene to the point where speaking words alone is no longer enough and we must sing and THEN WE SING!!!

COST:

$60/Class / $200 if you purchase all 4

PREREQUISITE: FUNDAMENTALS OF IMPROV OR LEVEL 1 AT ANY IMPROV SCHOOL

You can take and retake this class as many times as you want. We encourage students who have been away for a while to start back at this level as a refresher.

CHARACTER WRITING LAB: 6 weeks

This level takes what you’ve learned about improv and applies it to writing for both characters and sketch. In the 6 classes, you will discover how to write from a character’s point of view, and build situations and scenarios around your characters to best support or highlight them.

For students interested in learning to write, this is a useful and natural first step into that world using your improv tools. The class is also useful for students who want to strengthen their character work and delve more deeply into them - spending more time in their skin and thereby understanding them more fully, which helps gain more confidence and comfort in playing characters in general.

No prior writing experience is needed. Writing will be done both in class and outside of class.

The class will culminate in a show presenting work created in the class.

COST:

$350

DURATION:6 weeks, one evening a week.

PREREQUISITE: ADVANCED SCENEWORK INTO CHARACTER

SPECIALTY WORKSHOP MUSIC IMPROV I: (8 CLASSES)

In this class we will work together to gain a sense of comfort and confidence in creating interesting, memorable vocal melodies and learn how to focus on the essentials of rhythm/range and silence and how to use each of these musical tools to take you out of the head-space of having to create content. Also we will use presentational skills to increase our level of stage presence and performance energy while improvising songs. We will work individually and in pairs and as a group on different exercises to make the songs we improvise out of thin air appear finished the very time they are performed. AND we will have a BLAST!!

COST:$480

DURATION: 8 Classes

PREREQUISITE: FUNDAMENTALS OR A LEVEL 1 AT ANY IMPROV SCHOOL

You can take and retake this class as many times as you want. We encourage students who have been away for a while to start back at this level as a refresher.

SPECIALTY WORKSHOP MUSIC IMPROV III: (8 CLASSES)

Music Improv Level 3 will solidify the students in their ability to create a song that has an organic and repeatable melody with lyrics that feel poetic, descriptive and 'hooky'. We will also begin to put these songs into scenic and long-form narrative contexts. We will continue to have a blast as we dive deep into creativity and music.

COST:$480

DURATION: 8 Classes

PREREQUISITE: MUSIC IMPROV II

You can take and retake this class as many times as you want. We encourage students who have been away for a while to start back at this level as a refresher.

LONGFORM IMPROV

An introduction into some the formats and structures you can improvise within. Short form is usually short scenes and games guided by a director with suggestions given by the audience. Longform is more open and loose, often director-less, and can span 10 minutes to an entire show. Improvolution highlights the “clap-in” format since it is the most open format and encourages characters.